Chinese youth will continue to face a tough job market over the next five years following record graduations in 2013, said Yin Weiming, minister of human resources and social security on Monday.

Yin made the remarks as he met student representatives in Beijing Foreign Studies University over employment issues.

About 6.99 million college students are expected to leave universities in 2013, creating intense competition for jobs. The number of graduates per year will stay at around 7 million, said Yin.

Starting this year, college graduates are allowed to register in public human resources centers in the regions where they want to start their careers and then get free services. This option used to be only open for local permanent residents, said Yin. The four municipalities are not participating.